Still some to be added in the last few days, but this is most of my journal going cross country CA to WV and back with my trucker.
OTR with Rick
Friday, November 28, 2008 at 8:39am It was Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 Raquel's Birthday but I did not see her, first time ever that I did'nt spend time with her on her birthday. I left her a dozen yellow roses and a birthday card. I have been looking forward to this day and it has finally arrived. I found a note from Monica wishing me a good vacation that she said I long deserve, and she is correct. I will be able to keep in contact with her with my cell phone. I am going on the road with Rick to learn about and understand his profession by sitting beside him for about two weeks. I have been packed a day or so ahead as I learn it's all day to day and you never know until you know that you have to leave. I had to think ahead in packing, it's like camping, pack little, pack smart, a journal, my camera, and how do I plan for personal hygiene? Showers are few and far between, no facilities in the tractor. Rest stops, truck stops, and maybe none depending on where Rick parks the tractor for the night. So I purchased a female urinal...hand held plastic thing that I think is used for the elderly? Thought it may work out, we'll see. The call finally came after repairs were complete on the 2000 Peterbilt (ol Pete I call the tractor). So Rick and I left La Mirada at 2:00 P.M. The mileage on the ol Pete was 79158. We had In and Out for kunch and then on to a scale to check the weight before actually getting on the road, it weighs 78,060 lbs. 80,000 is max...um, luckily I got out. He also had to fill the tanks at a specific station, he showed me how to go about filling the dual tanks, one on each side of the tractor, 150 gallons of diesel $405.00. So off we go, pull into Tonopah, AZ about 8:30 P.M. it's 62 degrees.
Sunday, November 23, mileage is 79481 I asked Rick to wake me in the mornings so I could keep his schedule. We left Tonopah at 6 A.M. We had breakfast at IHOP in Phoenix, fueled in Las Cruces, NM 163 gallons $386.00 mileage is 79934, lunch at Taco Bell in TA (TravelCenters of America) truckstop. at 2 P.M. Getting a cold? bought lozenges and cold medicine. Sore and scratchy throat. Parked in another TA in Sweetwater, TX. Long driving day 900 miles! Ate popcorn and went to sleep about 9:30 P.M. The deserts of CA, AZ, and NM are all very similar terrain, looking forward to getting further into TX for a change of scenery. The cab of the tractor has the two seats which are air ride seats, adjustable to height so if bumpy you just cush up and down, and a lumbar control as well. Really quite comfortable. Dials, guages, and switches abound for the driver, plus the accessories of the CB radio, stereo, Sirius radio, etc. Then there is the sleeper compartment that has a partitian, a divider that can be closed at night. It has a twin bed, multiple storage compartments, and even a small closet. He has a television/vcr, cooler. It has temperature controls in the sleeper area too as well as speakers for the stereo.
Monday, November 24, mileage 80380. Rick purchased a month of WIFI for his laptop at the TA, but you have to be at a TA to access it. On my cell phone I have internet access so I was able to get directions for his deliveries. I felt Rick's need to rush that morning, not negative or nasty just could feel his urgency to drive, throw on what I wore yesterday, grab wipes to do a P.P.A bath, have to ask me personally what that stands for if you can't figure it out. Buy large coffees a couple of muffins. Hair whatever, brush teeth? When? Got to figure this out. So we left Sweetwater, TX to make the 1st delivery in Grand Priaire, TX at 9 A.M. and 2nd delivery of wine, 2007 Amador Syrah (hoped for some samples but to no avail) in Tulsa, Ok that afternoon. He looked for a place to park for the night but there was 'no room at the inn', in two truck stops, so he parked at a Walmart or Kmart parking lot, we walked to Chili's (brushed my teeth in the restroom) had a great dinner, couple of marti's for me, back to the tractor, but now no facilities for me to use, uh oh.
Tuesday, November 25, mileage 80946 Luckily I did not have to relieve myself till morning but, had to wait for something to open because I could not use that plastic thing, mind body disconnect. Finally the store opened and I got the 'blue light special' on toilets, whew, men have it easy. So we left from Tulsa, OK and it began to look like the midwest in early winter, various shades of green fading to golden brown to yellow. Bare naked trees and no hills or mountains in site. Meadows, random ponds, scattered livestock roaming, lying, standing. About 60 degrees high, 37 low. My allergies were kicking my ass-ume you know what I mean, it was not a cold, it must be the southwest that is the worst for my allergies and now it was subsiding although my throat was still a bit sore and scratchy. Diesel was needed but there was an issue with the card purchase and there was not a Western Union at that Missouri TA. His employer sends him on a goose chase 30 miles roundtrip to a little store where they did have Western Union. Rick wanted to drop the trailer where we were parked before we went to the store so I learned how to do that by watching him. At the store we were able to buy groceries to stock the refrigerator. But the bonus that day was the first shower since we left Saturday! In the truck stops there are hallways with doors and behind the doors are facilities with a sink, toilet, and shower. Truck drivers earn vouchers by buying diesel for showers that otherwise cost $10.00. If the showers are all full, you are given a number and when one is available it comes up on a monitor. They supply one towel, washcloth, and mini bar of soap. I knew this from what Rick had told me before, so I had my own towel, as does he, shampoo, and flip flops. I showered first, I came out of that shower so much lighter, and then called Rick to come take his, so we got two for one that way. After all said and done there was a 3 hour loss of driving time for that day. But we did finally get rolling about 3 P.M. Seeing the Missouri Arch at night is amazing, the unique structure that is ever changing as you drive by and the spectacular lighting makes it so impressive. Too bad my little camera could not expose it at night nor the Mississippi River that we went over. He had me look up a TA for Mt. Vernon, IL but it was full when we arrived but next door was a Pilot truck stop that had room. We made sandwiches and watched the end of Chocolat (chick flick), and the beginning of Misfits ( a man movie that one is). Slept so very sound and comfortable. What I like is the sound the truck makes on the road, it chugs and groans, it sighs and floats, and when in idle for the night it rocks me to sleep. By the by it's just a single bed, so two peas in a pod, two bugs in a rug we were, it's been cozy and nice.
Wednesday, November 26 milage 81454 Rick stirs early that morning and I can feel once again the urgency to move on, got to make the delivery on time. Lost time yesterday so all I can do is get ready...throw on my sweats, flatten my mohawk sleep hair, wipe the sleep from my eyes, pull on my Uggs, jump out of the tractor and use the restroom in the truck stop, fill cups with coffee and we are rolling out of Mt. Vernon, IL at 7:30. We had groceries now, so we ate bananas. Just a about a 1/2 hour from then, damn, I gotta go. I let Rick know and he is such a patient man with me, always considerate, and attentive to my needs, my endless questions, so he pulls into the next possible place for me. He tells me that day I earned a higher rank since I had not asked him to send me home! I guess he does not quite know what I am made of yet... Rick is an amazing driver, he manuevers these two lane, curvy roads with confidence and expertise, and I feel safe and comfortable. I see Rick's demeanor change as he sets in to drive. I love to watch him get into the 'rhythm' as he calls it. So aware, in tune. Sometimes it's hard to get into the rhythm he tells me because of heavy traffic, road conditions, two lanes where everyone is leap frogging along, and then there are the rushed, oblivious car drivers, I pressed my foot to the floor a few times, Rick asking me where I am going?, but hell, some are perilous and just stupid! Yikes, they sure do not comprehend what 80,000 lbs would do to them when they cut off, or run up the right side! Through IL and IN on the way to the 3rd delivery in Clarksburg, WV we saw ice on ponds and frost on the roadside grasses, the temperature continues to drop.. I am so hoping for actual snow fall and rain while on this trip, he tells me to be careful for what I wish for because we are in a truck (but I wish anyway). I felt at home in the Midwest states, so soothing and calming to my soul. Having been born and raised in the farmlands of WI until the age of 12 I guess what I feel is from my fond childhood experiences. So we are nearing the delivery area but still far off, if we don't make it tonight they will be closed till Monday...Rick calls them telling me that they are pretty nice in these parts and maybe someone will wait for him. He is correct, the young man tells him to call about 15 minutes out and he'll come in to unload! Finally found the place after some poor directions were given, but in the end this fella and his girl were very kind. She saw me get out of the truck and asked me how I liked driving? I said I liked it fine but it was just a two week jaunt for me, she says two weeks??? Oh my gosh, she went with her boyfriend for a couple days and went stir crazy, she had to have him stop at a Walmart (with her WV accent) so she get get some things to keep her hands busy, she could not stand being in that truck.... There is snow on the ground here in WV! It snowed the night before we arrived, I can't believe there is snow...please snow more...checked the weather and it's says clear everywhere we are going, go figure. Done with the last delivery, the trailer is empty, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and Rick won't know what's next until Friday. So since we will have two nights we decide to look for a motel, one that you can park 18 wheels in! That's an issue, there are signs all over the United States that say 'No truck parking', or as Rick says he hears all the time...'You can't park here'. Rick tells me that too many truckers leave unsightly, filthy trash around and therefore places stop letting the rigs park anymore. We are both tired and the thought a room with shower sounded so good. We find a perfect little motel, get parked, bring our goods in, it's cold outside but the room is already warmed for us...not much longer we shower and are fast asleep sprawled on that king size bed.
Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day in West Virginia I sleep in and Rick sleeps in longer, this driving profession is exhausting, constant pushing, pressure from your employer as to where are you now, you have to be there now, you have a day to go 1000 miles...and then to drive 10, 12, or more hours a day? Wreckless drivers abound, state patrols breathing down their necks, traffic, road, and weather conditions....sleep Rick, keep sleeping hun. I have time to then to catch up on my journaling and email (WIFI in the motel). When he wakens we have coffee together, make some family calls for the holiday and begin to think about what might be open for dinner, I make some phone calls but there is only one place and it's some kind of Chinese buffet?! So we get cleaned up and ready to go, and the tractor won't start, it is dead, batteries dead. So we look at each other, it is Thanksgiving afternoon what kind of options are there? None. Rick is clearly aggitated as he had to have a jump a couple weeks earlier and reported it to his employer. He begins making calls to AAA, well they won't handle tractors, he calls many tow truck, truck repair places and either they are closed or want to gouge, I mean charge upwards of $180.00. We resign to the fact that we are going no where, and we make good of the sandwich fixings we have, watch a little television and got a good 10 hour sleep.
Friday, November 28 We have to check out this morning, but with no vehicle, we weren't going very far. Fortunately we were able to stay in the warm motel lobby for a few hours while Rick spoke with his employer and found a place to purchase batteries (3 for a tractor) and they actually delivered them to Rick. Rick installed them and got a pick up assignment. Mileage 82030 leaving Bridgeport, WV He drove straight through to Richmond, KY and to the place where he was to pick so he new just where to be the next morning, but they were there and wanted to load him then. They did however, let him drop the trailer and then he could pick it up tomorrow. So we went to Charley's (like Chili's) for dinner, sat at the bar watched a little football, had some food and spirits and walked back to the tractor that he parked down the road. It was cold and windy that night and no facilities for me outside the truck, I would have to do figure something out, Rick told me what to do, ha! Shoulda, woulda, coulda listened to him all along.
Saturday, November 29 mileage 82341 leaving Richmond, KY Rick was up early, he was not comfortable with the surroundings in the morning. It was fine for overnight but he said he could feel movement around the tractor this morning and so he moved us to a shopping center parking lot. We slept a bit more there. I got up and and went shopping at Kroger's, filled up the cooler again and was having so much fun listening to the KY accent of the clerks and shoppers! I also found the perfect Christmas wreath to hang on 'ol Petes grill. By the time I returned Rick was ready to go but I had to hang that wreath first. Now we were moving on towards St. Louis, MO, forecast snow?! Rick stopped at a Pilot were he purchased some work gloves, and he needed to secure the two forklifts in the trailer and I helped put oil in the engine. We made sandwiches and were back on the road. We thought we may go bowling that day, but by the time we reached the TA in Forestill, MO we were too tired. It had been raining a bit on the way, some of it seemed like icey rain and I was just hoping for more. Right when we stepped out of the cab at that TA it began SNOWING! We sat by the windows in the truck stop restaurant and watched it snow. Slowly, gently falling snow! Then the flakes grew larger and I told Rick they look like potato chips! We got back in the sleeper and snuggled in for the night and I left the partition open just enough and I fell asleep watching the potato chips fall...awesome!
Sunday, November 30 mileage 82765 Light snow still that morning, about 2 inches had fallen. We were able to sleep in a little and got a shower. Also bought some souvenier shot glasses with the state names on them. Then we went to fuel up but again the fuel card did not go through, so he calls his employer to get cash through Western Union then we are on our way again. I was so enjoying the weather but Rick was not enjoying the traffic due to amateurs driving, as he calls them, he can't get the rhythm thing going... so we don't make huge progess. I had let him know that I would like to eat at a Texas Roadhouse, and so where does he take me? It was sooo delicious. We ate BBQ pork ribs, the most delicious ribs I have ever had. When you picked up the rib, the meat would fall off leaving the white clean bone. Spent the night in Topeka, KS.
Monday, December 1 mileage 83044 Leaving Topeka, KS. Kansas is a wide state, hundreds of miles of truly American farmland, decayed, abandoned farms scatter the land, but create a beautiful landscape. I continue to take pictures. He drove straight through to Denver. Found delivery site about 6:30 P.M. went to Arby's for quick bite and back across the street to the truck to sleep. I was exhausted today, barely kept my eyes open at times, no television, just sleep.
Tuesday, December 2 mileage 83639 Leaving Denver today, breakfast at Howard Johnson's this morning. Showered in the TA, 3rd since being out, strong, hot water, clean soft hair again, shaved body, I feel like a woman...isn't that a song? Going to go through the Rocky's today! Overnight in Green River, UT in a Gas N Go lot. It was a very cold evening but the cab was nice and warm, the sky was dark and we left the cab to view the stars and turning off the engine for some silence. When we got back in and he tried to start the engine, it was dead. Not batteries this time. After several attempts still nothing. It seemed just the ignition as the power was okay, television, lights, etc. worked. It was too late to call anyone, we snuggled in bed, covered with a sleeping bag and huddled, cuddled each other through out the night to stay warm. I had to get up in the middle of the night to pee and the windshield was frosted over. Come to find out it was 26 degrees that night...brrrrr. Rick got up early to see what he could do to get the tractor running and gave it a try, it started so we huddled back under the covers until the cab warmed up. Had coffee, cream cheese and bagels and we moved on.
Wednesday, December 3 mileage 83985 In Green River, UT The Utah sand stone monuments are iron red, lime stone, with sand and beige peaks, flat tops, and dusted with snow at 7,000 feet with valleys and caverns for hundreds of miles. Overnight in Tehachapi, CA on a road.
Thursday, December 4 mileage 84675 In a hurry this A.M., got a quick coffee and off to Fresno to deliver and then two pick ups in Selma. In the farmlands of CA we went to nut processing company where I was able to purchase pecans, pistachios, and cashews, then off to another processor of almonds where there were several momentus piles of husks and another pick up in Los Banos. Drove on to Wasco for the night with a final pick up here in the morning.
Friday, December 5 mileage 85050 Made final pick up in Wasco, there is pretty heavy fog in this area. Rick called in to his employer to let them know all was completed. We made our last trip back to Newbury Park where the 18 wheels delivered me home.
Now you would think that was the end of the journey right? Well, Rick got to take a shower and had to leave to take the tractor back to La Mirada, then they sent him on to El Paso, TX and he will be home sometime Monday the 8th. Then I think he will be off for a week, maybe, you never know. This journery was one of the best experiences of my life. I would go again and again and hopefully get behind the wheel. For the trucker it can be a thankless, lonely, and grueling career. At the same time it is a freeing experience as I have been told. Some truckers say it's in their heart and soul, they come from generations of truckers and love the open road. For others it is an escape from the home life they know. Most people do not know the life a trucker leads but they are the back bone of all industry, anything you have ever bought a trucker brought.
(the first since leaving Sat) and was that a needed one!, was not a good day for Rick as there were gas issues from his company and were delayed 3 hours, but I learned how to drop the trailer and pick it up again! So one night there was 'no room at the Inn' (two truck stops full) so he parked in KMart or a Walmart parking lot telling me we could get kicked out...anyhow no potty facilities for me outside the truck, thankfully did not have to until early morn and then sought the blue light special on toilets, woohoo, whew...Men have it made in that area. So what I like is the sound the truck makes on the road, it chugs and groans, it sighs and floats, it rocks me to sleep. By the by it's just a single bed, so we've been like two peas in a pod, two bugs in a rug, it's been nice
. I see Rick's demeanor change as he sets in to drive, he is an amazing driver, I love to watch him get into the 'rhythum' as he calls it. So aware, intune, I feel safe and comfortable. Except for the car drivers, I pressed my foot to the floor a few times, Rick asking me where I am going?, but Hell, some are so oblivious and perilous and just stupid! Yikes, they sure do not comprehend what 80,000 lbs would do to them when they jeopardise all when they cut off and cut in! I have enjoyed the change in terrain, signs of early winter in the countryside. I have taken pics of farmlands, rivers, cities, towns, landmarks of Ok, IL, IN, MO. and they will follow when I get the chance. My allegies have subsided and I felt at home in the midwest states, so soothing and calming to my soul. I was born and raised in the farmlands of WI until the age of 12 so I guess what I feel is from my fond childhood experiences. There is snow on the ground here in WV! It snowed the night before we arrived. I am so hoping for actual snow fall and rain while on this trip, he tells me to be careful for what I wish for because we are in a truck (but I wish anyway). Rick also said I moved up in rank 
since I have not asked him to send me home yet. I guess he does not completely know what Iam made of yet! So I will wrap it up for now, wanted to get this written while still fairly fresh in my mind. I will write more when Ihave the chance. 
